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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-12-11L] [l 1 PLANNING BOARD MEETING December 11, 1978 The meeting of the Lexington Planning Board was called to order at 7:34 p.m. by the chairman Mr. Zabin, with members Sandy, Friedman, Wheaton, planning director Briggs, and secretary Mrs. Snow present. The meeting was held in Estabrook Hall to accommodate the number of Lexington Center merchants expected to attend. Mrs. Nichols joined the meeting at 9:30 p.m., follow- ing her attendance at the Board of Selectmen's meeting on the FY80 Sewer Program. The Board considered the request of John C. Tuttle, Landsail, Inc., for extension of time for Planning Board action on the definitive plan for Willow Ridge subdivision. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously VOTED: To extend to January 30, 1979, inclusive, the time within which the Lexington Planning Board must act on the definitive plan entitled "Willow Ridge Lexington, Mass." dated November 20, 1978, by Frank C. Gelinas Assoc., as requested by John C. Tuttle, Jr., applicant. Public hearing on Willow Ridge will be held on January 8, 1979. WILLOW RIDGE EXTENSION TO 1/30/79 Mr. Briggs informed the Board of new procedures regarding insertion of WARRANT Articles for the Warrant of the 1979 Town Meeting. Instead of sub- ARTICLE mission of a listing of Articles to reserve space in the Warrant, a SUBMISSION semi-final draft of each Article will be required by December 29, 1978, closing_ date for the Warrant. At 8 p.m., Central Business District Merchants and members of the CBD Subcommittee met with the Board by invitation. The Chairman explained the purpose of the meeting as being to ascertain problems and needed improve- ments in Lexington Center from the merchants' point of view, to aid the CBD Subcommittee in decision on structuring of a questionnaire regarding the future of the Center. The following were stated by attendees as being detrimental to business activity: prohibition of Sunday operation, inadequate parking, restrictions on overhanging and directional signs, traffic flow, and Historic Districts Commission design regulations. In discussion of the parking situation, it was suggested that some "meter money" should be reserved for parking improvements, that the Depot Square lot should be metered, and that enforcement should be increased. In response to question, Mr. Zabin stated that no CBD parking -related Articles will be placed on the 1979 A.T.M. Warrant by the Planning Board because the extent of the parking problem has not yet been established. Regarding procedures for gaining diversity of services in the Center, it was suggested that special permit regulation for all types of businesses be proposed. Mr. Briggs suggested that it was the responsibility of the merchants to formulate solutions for attracting customers to the Center through promo- tions and other organized activities. The Planning Board will invite Lexington Center property owners to the next CBD information meeting to present their views on the subject. Discussion continued on wording and scope of Articles to be proposed by the Planning Board. The meeting adjourned at 10:34 p.m. Iris G. Wheaton, Clerk